Introduction
Free Sorting is a simple method for collecting similarity data in which each panellist groups together products based on their perceived similarities. All products are presented simultaneously and randomly displayed. Panelists are asked first to look at, smell, and/or taste (depending on the objectives of the study) all the products and then to sort them in mutually exclusive groups based on perceived product similarities. Panellists can use the criteria they want to sort the products, and they are free to make as many groups as they want and to put as many products as they want in each group. The sorting task can be followed by a description step where panellists are asked to describe each group of products.
Template Description
The template starts with a welcome screen where instruction about the test can be provided. In the design section, the first screen has instructions, followed by the question in which the panelist can group the products together and give the created group a name. The Free Sample Sorting question type has been used and this means that the samples from the design are used.
In the advanced settings of this question type, you will have different settings that can be used to adjust the visualization for your panellist. By default the Group description setting is enabled: with this setting you allow your panellist to describe the groups themselves. Then the use of Display, Text and Image settings can be found in the advanced settings. The first setting will allow you to display the sample code in the question. This sample code can be found and (if needed) adjusted in the design tab. If you would like to display a description of the sample instead of the code, you can enable “Text”. When the “Image” option is enabled, the panellist will see an image that is specific to the sample. In the Product tab in the design section you can add a description and/or an image for that specific product. This information will be used when you enable the Text and Image setting.
The grouped-combo settings can be used when you have a pre-described name for the groups in which the panelist can sort the samples. You can enable this setting and add the name of the groups to your liking.
After creating the groups, panellists can add a comment about their reason of choice. In the standard settings of this comment question, you can make this mandatory when necessary or removed by the user from the template when needed.
In the end screen, the template incorporates a “thank you” message, providing an opportunity for you to personalize a final message for the panellists.
The design has been created as a block design, which means the panellist will receive all the products simultaneously. Within the design creator you can adjust the amount of samples. Within the design settings, you can examine how each panellist will receive the samples, with each set corresponding to a specific order of presentation for an individual panellist. You have the flexibility to edit the product properties by clicking on the Product section.
Raw Data Representation
The raw data will be displayed with each row corresponding to a product that the judge evaluated and sorted into a group.The Q1 column provides information about the name the judge gave to the group that the product was sorted in.
Analysis
Once data has been gathered, you can access EyeOpenR and navigate to the Free Sorting method.
References
- Varela, P, and Gaston, A. 2014. Novel Techniques in Sensory Characterization and Consumer Profiling